Safety

OTC shelves and “male enhancement” claims: what they are not

Written by the Med Men News desk · Clinician review: Amelia R. Chen, MD · Last checked

Shoppers still hunt for an over-the-counter Viagra equivalent. In the United States, FDA-approved sildenafil for erectile dysfunction remains prescription-only. Supplement aisles are regulated differently and are not proven substitutes.

Documented risk: Regulators have found hidden drug ingredients in some sexual-enhancement supplements. Hidden PDE5 activity is especially dangerous for people who take nitrates.

Conversations worth having instead

  • Screening for vascular disease and medication side effects
  • Sleep, alcohol, and smoking changes that affect erections
  • Counseling when anxiety is a major driver
  • Device options when medicines are unsuitable

If a clinician recommends a PDE5 inhibitor, stick to licensed pharmacies. Start with our Rx access guide.